Updated 10:26 pm, Wednesday, December 26, 2012

He did so flanked by a couple of Dixieland Band clowns on stage in the Curiale School auditorium as a reward to students for good behavior.

This longtime educator, who passed away last week at age 70, is also being remembered as someone who introduced urban elementary school youngsters to Latin and pre-algebra, was the first to welcome a health clinic into his school and forged corporate partnerships that netted his school free playground equipment.

"His strengths were working with the community and with parents," said James Connelly, a former city school superintendent. "Under Bill, Roosevelt School functioned truly as a community school. He was very open and welcoming."

Tinkler, of Monroe, died Dec. 18. A wake and calling hours will be held Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home in Fairfield, followed by a home-going funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, 2475 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield.

Those who knew Tinkler say they will miss his energy, enthusiasm and voice.

"He had a wonderful resonant speaking voice, so I can appreciate what a singing voice he had and hope that someone has captured it in recordings," said Lois Libby, a Sacred Heart University professor in a condolence message for Tinkler.

Tania Kelley, Roosevelt School's current principal, believes she sang with Tinkler at Bethel when she first came to Bridgeport. She called Tinkler an amazing man who always found something positive to say about everyone.

"The staff members who still work at Roosevelt were completely heartbroken to hear of his passing," said Kelley.

"They mentioned how he was fair, firm, loved all the students and had the utmost respect for the staff. I know as an educator he will be missed, but as a friend, it is a great loss."

Tinkler was the youngest of eight children, born in Baltimore. He worked for the Bridgeport school system for 33 years.

He spent five years as principal of McKinley School during the 1980s. Part of his job then was to reach out to the Young Lords and Black Panthers, activist groups with radical roots, to make sure none of the gang activity on nearby Stratford Avenue spilled over into the school. Then Connelly tapped Tinkler as principal of Roosevelt, the city's largest elementary school at the time.

"We needed someone who could develop some innovative programs," said Connelly.

Tinkler required all students at the school for students in pre-K through eighth grade to wear uniforms long before it became a district policy. He embraced an adopt-a-school program with what is now AT&T, which resulted in a new playground.

One former student, Orlando Ramos, said he remembers Tinkler always showed and expected respect. Ramos said Tinkler was the best principal ever to set foot in Bridgeport. Another former student, Perquon Moore, said he is the man he is today because of Tinkler.

The principal's energy was contagious and did not go unnoticed. In 1993, he became the first educator in the city to win the Milken Foundation Award, a national prize that came with a $25,000 check.

Even after officially retiring, Tinkler continued on in the district as an interim principal at Curiale School.

"He had a great smile," said Rev. Larry Fullerton, executive pastor at Black Rock Congregational Church, where Tinkler was a member.

Gaylord Lemke, another pastor at Black Rock, visited Tinkler often in the past six months and recalls on one visit, a nurse at the facility where he was being cared for came into his room with her daughter to tell Tinkler about the marks he had made on the lives of her daughter and grandchildren who had attended Roosevelt School.